Gwen

Conrad gets back later today, gone to Chicago for conference since this past Saturday.  Ugh, what a drive to the airport that was, what with ramps onto the 110 closed off and with no warning as we approached.  Sigh.

Anyway, Conrad made it to Chicago no problem, and Van and I decided to get out of Pasadena for a date night out.  Gwen was his suggestion, and it was a good suggestion, indeed.

I'd seen Chef Curtis Stone appear as a judge or guest on Top Chef a couple of times, and I know that he is respected, but I didn't know much else.  I had assumed that because he was Australian, his restaurants were all there.  Apparently not, though.  Gwen is parked in Hollywood and is a Michelin one-star, I believe.  Based on the terrific service (the food was good, I promise), I can see why.  Van and I both commented on how much we appreciate the service there.  It really makes a difference in a dining experience.

So then, Saturday afternoon we got a little dressed up

(I always feel like I should, but then I see how other people dress for dining out nicely and I wonder why I bother) and drove over.  What a handsome space it is there. 

Love the Art Deco touches.  We waited a short bit and then were seated.  Again, a nice space.  Maybe too loud for Conrad, but a nice space.Cocktails to start, a Mai Tai for Van and a Vesper for me. 

We settled in for a nice meal.

We could have greatly indulged.  The wine list was terrific, and there were many smaller plates that looked appealing as well as some mighty fine meats.  We kept it relatively light and simple, though.  There was a trip of amuses-bouches: 

a consomme with shitake mushroom, a gougere, and a little beef tartare in a shiso leaf

(I ate Van's).  We also shared the English peas appetizer which, as the server promised, was more about the morels that were filled with shrimp. 

That foam/sauce was so good, and we really needed more of the hot, crusty bread to mop it all up.

Gwen prides itself on butchery and sells cuts of meats for cooking at home.  Given that, we knew we had to have a steak.  We opted for a 14 ounce New York strip.  What was interesting was, they didn't ask us how we wanted it cooked.  Van likes his steaks a little less rare than I do, but he didn't have a problem with it.  The steak came out sliced for us with a little roasted onion on the side. 

We also had the duck fat potatoes,

and there was a jus to spoon over the meat.  It was entirely satisfying.  Everything was salted just right, too, which I greatly appreciated.  We didn't rush over the dining, just enjoyed each bite.

We told the server we were saving room for dessert, and we didn't lie.  All of them sounded tempting, and in the end we chose the apple mille-feuille with miso-caramel. 

A good mix of sweet, tangy, and salty/savoury.  Yum!

Gwen is not an inexpensive meal although you don't have to break the bank to go there.  It's also not near us, so it won't be a regular place to go back to.  But I can happily see returning for another date night or to take visitors there.  Heck, I'd love to meet a friend like, say, Denny at the bar and have a cocktail and bite.  I'm glad Van suggested it.  We had a lovely date night all in all. 

remnants

Yesterday was monthly online drinks.  Rather late this month, and no Conrad or Chris to enjoy it with us.  Alas.

But it was a fun theme.  Over time, we've each purchased bottles of something or other to make a specific cocktail once, maybe twice, and then... yeah.  These bottles sit.  I have been ruthless and tossed a few, I admit.  I hate the waste, though.  So, this month we tried to address it.  Remnants - that was the theme.  I selected three bottles that sit there, staring at me, and made a cocktail with each.  Ranked from least favourite to favourite, they were

The Trade Secret. 

I didn't end up fully drinking this one, only a few sips to decide what I thought of it.  Not bad, and if I had only made this, I would have been happy.  A way to use the ginger liqueur I had purchased for our Britpop themed drinks.  I may try this cocktail again some day.

The Vanilla Sour. 

I can't remember what I bought the Galliano for, but I always associate it with the Harvey Wallbangers that my mother drank back in the 70s.  This was a simple drink, it felt light enough and elegant, and I ended up enjoying it as the first of two drinks with the gang.

The Naked and Sunburnt. 

A play on a Naked and Famous but the Ancho Reyes taking the place of yellow Chartreuse.  A very light burn to this one, just enough to make the chile known but not so much that Van didn't drink it.  I liked it, though, and I will definitely make this one again!

Next month:  make our favourite cocktail.  Now then, what is my favourite cocktail...? 

the flowers of South Pasadena

How about some prettiness to end the weekend.  I was out on foot before 7 this morning, mostly out and about in South Pas, having started out from Van's place.  Over 6 miles, a decent walk.  And a mildly cool morning, making for a comfortable walk at that.

And oh, the flowers....

Statice.

Brazil raintree.

Lantana, encased in some sort of fluff from a nearby tree.

Crimson bottlebrush.

Japanese cheesewood.

Nasturtiums.

California flannelbush.

And oh!  The pride of Madeira is starting to pop on Van's back slope. 

This little bee was surely enjoying that.

Happy Monday ahead.  May the flowers put you in a good mood for the week ahead. 

yes, but how was PS otherwise, Peter?

If you had told the me of 30 years ago, living in Terrace, BC, that I would spend half of my life (almost that at this point) in the US and that I would LOVE visiting the desert, heat and all, I would have scoffed.  Greatly.  Loudly.  Pointedly.  And yet here we are.

I do love going down to the desert.  I loved it even before Van was in our lives and we were spending so much time at the house he owned in Rancho Mirage.  Is it a vibe?  Amenities?  Landscape?  I don't know.  I don't think about it that much.  I just like going.

So here's what I enjoyed this time...

Our hotel.   

For years we've driven past the partially complete property in the middle of downtown Palm Springs, wondering when it would ever be re-started and finished.  Well, guess what?  They finished it last year, and it's now a Hyatt property.  It's also dog friendly, so we could bring Olive.  Our verdict?  Good hotel!  The room was basic but spacious.  The artwork around the facility was cool. 

The layout of the hotel and the landscaping were great. 

Nice pool - we only lounged by it but didn't splash in it. 

All in all, it was an impressive space.  We'd go back.

Walking around town. 

It was nice to stay where we did because it meant easy walking each morning.  I went through Old Las Palmas and surrounding neighbourhoods.  I went past the Palm Springs Art Museum. 

The mornings were mild enough that walking was fine.  I was glad to get out, see the town, take photos, get some steps in.

The cocktails! 

Yep, my mostly dry March is over at this point.  I really need to do a similar thing after spring break, though, and through until our May trip.  Anyway, I loved the inside bar at the hotel. 

Really good and interesting drinks.  A Mastiha Spritz for me,

and then a Hugo at the (not as good) pool bar the next evening.

Mostly, though, it was just great for the three of us to get away. 

Yes, room logistics and sleep can be wonky, but it's worth it to enjoy time with Conrad and Van (and Olive!).  I hope we'll be back down that way later this year for Conrad's birthday.  Should be fun!